L a t e s t  n e w s ..... Heel wins Super G in Val Gardena with Defago and Jaerbyn on the podium ... Paerson wins Super combined from Hosp and Suter ... Walchhofer retains King of the Hill in Downhill, Miller 2 and Osborne Paradis 3 ... Gut wins Super G in St Moritz from Suter and Fanchini

'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams' (Eleanor Roosevelt).

Bad weather has forced the organisers to call off the planned Super G for Friday and the Downhill on Saturday.  High winds and falling snow on Friday and 30cms of new snow overnight have meant that the race organisers did not feel safe in running either race.  A decision has been made to run the Super G on the Monday.  The complication for this is that the Slalom specialists and all rounders will be heading to Schladming for the night Slalom race scheduled for Tuesday.  With the downhill also being effected by the weather, the 65th Hahnenkamm will not take place this year!

It is expected that the downhill will be switched to Kvitfjel in Norway after the World Championships.  Gunter Hujara explained that the wet snow made regular preparation of the piste particularly within the lower area of the Streif not possible.

Time is running out: Baxter struggles in Kitzbuehel

After two days of high winds, falling snow and cancelled races, Kitzbuehel woke up to cold temperatures but bright sun.  The new snow meant that the Austrian Army had been working since 10pm the previous night trying to get the Ganslern piste in race perfect condition.  By the time Alain Baxter, Britain’s sole racer in Kitzbuehel due to Noel deciding to race in two Europa Cups in France, left the start, a number of stars were struggling with the course.  Bode Miller was already heading out of the finish area having made a hash of things on the steep section and Giorgio Rocca had skied out.

Baxter was not quick all the way down.  “Things felt good coming in to the race,” reflected Baxter afterwards.  Baxter had come to Kitzbuehel on the back of two strong results in Melau where he had finished 5^th and 8^th since Wengen.  The tight rolling course would normally have been to Baxter’s liking but it just did not happen for him.  Asked whether he was looking forward to Bormio, Baxter responded “I was until today.  I am now looking forward to going home after Schladming!”  After his run in Wengen where he was out of sorts completely, Baxter spent time chatting with the American team after the run before heading off to prepare for Schladming.

It had been hoped that the return to form and confidence of Austrian Killian Albrecht would also bode well for Baxter.  The two are great friends.  Albrecht won a slalom in Adelboden after the recent world cup and with the same type of snow conditions, the Austrian coaches build the confidence up with the racer and he responded with a terrific 8th after the first run and 14th overall.  Maybe too little too late to book his ticket to Bormio but a great confidence booster none the less.

The race was won by Austrian Manfred Pranger, his first World Cup win ahead of Mario Matt and Ivica Kostelic.  Rainer Schoenfelder finished fourth after having been second after the first run, won by Pranger.  Kostelic pulled up from 5^th after the first run.  Run of the day was that of Benni Raich who struggled with mistake after mistake on the first run to finish 22^nd.  A charging second run saw him climb to 8^th and claw back points on Miller who scored nothing courtesy of his elimination after the first run.

The race was a tight affair with the cut off after the first run at 1.91 seconds, one of the closest races in a while.

For Baxter the dream of the end of season World Cup Finals is virtually extinguished.  While the Slovenian press have been heavily critical of Jure Kosir, winner back here in 1999, not even the presence of the much of the hierarchy of Snowsport GB, was able to help Baxter.  A rather forlorn figure in the finish, Baxter needs help and support behind the scenes.  One result will bring confidence back but until then it is a lonely road. 

After Schladming, there is just one World Cup race left to get that important result that may just allow Baxter to salvage something from this season.

1. Manfred Pranger (Aut)           1:31.51
2. Mario Matt (Aut)                     1:31.63
3. Ivica Kostelic (Cro)                  1:31.75

 DNQ2 Alain Baxter (GBR) +2.66 (46)

The Super G will go ahead in the morning it has been announced.

Further news from Kitzbuehel